Enterprise Ireland today announced details of the first in a series of nationwide ‘Prepare for Brexit’ roadshows, which will take place at the Maryborough Hotel, Cork on Wednesday, 3 May from 8.00-10.30 am.

Part of Enterprise Ireland’s #PrepareforBrexit campaign, the Cork roadshow will feature speakers from SMEs, large companies and innovative start-ups, along with members of Enterprise Ireland’s Global Team and Brexit Unit, moderated by Broadcaster Jonathan Healy. Designed to encourage SMEs to prepare for a hard Brexit, the event will provide a platform for robust discussion, information sharing and practical advice around the key issues facing Irish companies. The roadshow is free of charge but registration is essential. Register at BrexitUnit@enterprise-ireland.com

Central to the roadshow is Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’, a new interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six business pillars. Based on answers supplied by the user, the Scorecard generates an immediate report which contains suggested actions and resources, and information on events for companies to attend, to prepare for Brexit. The platform can be accessed atwww.prepareforbrexit.ie

By completing the online questionnaire, the Brexit SME Scorecard will provide companies with an assessment of their preparedness under six key pillars – Business Strategy, Operations, Innovation, Sales and Marketing, Finance and People Management. The tool is a starting point for SME management teams looking to develop an action plan to help mitigate risks and leverage opportunities which may arise from Brexit.

Martin Corkery, South and South East Regional Director, Enterprise Ireland said: “Over 250 companies have completed the Enterprise Ireland Brexit SME Scorecard since it was launched two weeks ago. As a next step on the road to preparing for Brexit, these regional roadshows will provide Irish companies with the opportunity to hear firsthand how other companies, of all sizes, are preparing for Brexit. Enterprise Ireland’s Global Team and Brexit Unit will give insights into the challenges and opportunities Brexit presents, and the practical supports that are available to companies.

“The UK continues to be Ireland’s main trading partner and our objective is to equip our client companies to strengthen their presences in the UK, while also preparing them to look at diversifying into new international markets.”

While the SME Scorecard is available to all companies, Enterprise Ireland client exporting companies that utilise the Brexit Scorecard will then be able to engage with the agency’s experts both domestically and through the overseas offices in global markets. Enterprise Ireland will also provide funding up to the value of €5,000 to exporting clients to support the development of a business action plan. Enterprise Ireland will then work with these companies on a one-to-one basis to support the implementation of the plan.

Further ‘Prepare for Brexit’ roadshows are planned for Galway, Waterford and Monaghan.